NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: Onsite coating of NIST 2.5m sphere

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, with Labsphere, 231 Shaker St, North Sutton, NH 03260 for the purchase of onsite coating of NIST 2.5m sphere to be utilized by NIST’s Physical Measurements Laboratory (PML). The statutory authority for this acquisition is 41 USC 3304(a)(1); FAR 13.106-1(b).

Sole source determination is based on the need to acquire onsite coating of NIST 2.5m sphere. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Physical Measurements Laboratory (PML), Sensor Science Division's has a need for onsite coating the 2.5 m integrating sphere that is an essential facility for calibration of the total flux. NIST uses a 2.5 m integrating sphere to realize total luminous flux scale and provide related calibration services to customers.

The sphere is coated with diffuse reflectance material - barium sulfate, which requires periodical re-coating to ensure calibration quality. Labsphere is the original manufacturer of the Spectrflet coating product required for this onsite coating service. Spectraflet coating is required as it is the only coating material that has a diffuse reflectance property and does not exhibit luminescence.

Coating that does not meet these properties could let too much light in which would not allow for the luminous flux scale experiments which relate to sensitivity to different wavelengths of light. Labsphere, Inc. is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the equipment that meets the required minimum specifications.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 238320– Painting and Wall Covering Contractors, with a small business size standard of $19 million in revenue.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. Interested parties that believe they can satisfy the requirements listed above must identify their capability in writing before the response date of this notice. Only responses received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on April 19, 2024 will be considered by the government. Responses shall be submitted via email to joni.laster@nist.gov